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European culture, cinema, television, music, literature, performing arts, heritage and related areas will benefit from increased support under the European Commission's new Creative Europe programme, which was approved by the European Parliament on 19 November and by the Council of the EU on 5 December 2013. With a budget of €1.46 billion over the next seven years – 9% more than current levels – the programme will provide a boost for the cultural and creative sectors, which are a major source of jobs and growth.

Creative Europe will provide funding for at least 250 000 artists and cultural professionals, 2 000 cinemas, 800 films and 4 500 book translations. It will also launch a new financial guarantee facility enabling small cultural and creative businesses to access up to €750 million in bank loans.

Welcoming today's vote, Androulla Vassiliou, European Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth, stated: "This investment is great news for Europe's film industry, for culture and the arts, and for the public. Creative Europe will enable our dynamic cultural sectors to create new jobs and contribute more to the EU economy. It will enable thousands of talented artists to reach new audiences in Europe and beyond, while also promoting cultural and linguistic diversity. In addition to providing considerable levels of grant support, our guarantee facility will boost access to finance for hundreds of small companies," she added.

Why Creative Europe?

Europe needs to invest more in its cultural and creative sectors because they significantly contribute to economic growth, employment, innovation and social cohesion. Creative Europe will safeguard and promote cultural and linguistic diversity and strengthen the competitiveness of the cultural and creative sectors.

Creative Europe

Helps the cultural and creative sectors to seize the opportunities of the ‘digital age’ and globalisation

Enables the sectors to reach their potential so that they can contribute to the Europe 2020 goals for sustainable growth, jobs and social cohesion.

Opens up new international opportunities, markets and audiences Builds on the success of the MEDIA and Culture programmes.

Creative Europe would make a difference

More funding for artists and cultural professionals to develop their skills and to work across borders

More funding for transnational cultural activities within and outside of the EU

Support schemes tailored to the specific needs of the audiovisual and the cultural sectors in the EUEasier access to private funding through guarantees

Increase banking expertise in the cultural and creative sectors

Develop Europe’s competitiveness in culture and film while safeguarding cultural and linguistic diversity